“Accountability is the glue that ties commitment to the result.”- Bob Proctor
Wilson’s Last Stand: Jets Bench Zach Wilson for Career Backup. For many individuals, accountability is a difficult subject to grasp. It requires admitting you failed and finding a way to course correct. It’s never easy, but neither is improvement. It requires us to admit truths we might not want to hear. This is the predicament the New York Jets have shoehorned themselves in. After losing their last three games in a row, the New York Jets realized a change was needed. The team benched Zach Wilson in favor of veteran backup Tim Boyle. It was Wilson’s last stand, but this commitment may have cost the Jets their playoff hopes.
Zach Wilson says he was frustrated to be benched for Tim Boyle, but he understands why it happened.
"When things aren't getting done, changes gotta be made and I understand that."
pic.twitter.com/CdB6ub1RiA— Ensign Gridiron (@EnsignGridiron) November 20, 2023
Wilson’s Last Stand: Jets Bench Zach for Career Backup
Zach Wilson‘s tenure with the New York Jets has yet to reach three years. However, there has already been more to praise off the field than on it. Wilson is 11-20 as the starting quarterback of the Jets through 31 career games. As it stands, he has a career completion percentage of 55.6% for 5966 passing yards. Along with 25 interceptions to only 21 touchdown passes and has been sacked over 100 times. Whatever way you examine it, nothing Zach Wilson has shown has merited the organizational commitment of a top 5 pick in terms of production.
While it’s easy to point the blame all on Zach Wilson, he’s not alone in his inconsistency. While flashes were shown in the past, offensive coordinators Mike LaFleur and the incumbent Nathaniel Hackett have failed to maximize his strengths. The play-calling for the past three years has been misguided, especially for an inexperienced quarterback. Robert Saleh had failed on his part by allowing an inexperienced offensive coach like LaFleur to be trusted in developing Wilson. It’s more egregious now that Wilson has experienced support around him in both Hackett and Rodgers. Joe Douglas’ time in New York has been beneficial, but injuries and lack of talent on the offensive line have further embedded the problem. The New York Jets have lost Alijah Vera-Tucker to multiple season-ending injuries and Mekhi Becton’s health has also been an issue. Add in a fourth-string center, no wonder Zach Wilson hasn’t been playing well.
Tim Boyle Time
Jets to start Tim Boyle at QB vs. Dolphins in Week 12. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/R5Aho4Ioeg
— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2023
While amid a three-game losing streak, the Jets are doing everything they can to stay alive in the Wildcard race. As a result of Wilson’s benching, the team will turn to veteran Tim Boyle to start against Miami. Before coming to New York, Boyle began his career as a backup in Green Bay. The former U-Conn Huskie turned Eastern Kentucky Colonel became close to both Aaron Rodgers and Nathaniel Hackett during their time in Wisconsin. After backing up Rodgers for two seasons, Boyle was then signed by the Detroit Lions in 2021. He went 0-3 as a starter replacing Jared Goff. But, he completed 64% of his passes for three touchdowns to six interceptions. He spent 2022 playing for the Bears practice squad.
It’s a surprising development in New York, considering the Jets already have a backup with better starting experience in Trevor Siemien on the practice squad. However, one can assume the team went with Boyle due to his familiarity with Nathaniel Hackett’s offense. Boyle has had turnover problems following him back to his days at UConn so it’s hard to be excited about seeing him under center. Especially against a talented Miami Dolphins team.
What about Aaron Rodgers?
Despite them losing three games in a row, the New York Jets remain in position to compete for the Wildcard. After his latest appearance on the Pat McAfee show, Aaron Rodgers‘s rehab has progressed so well that he’s attempting to practice full-time soon. Tentatively, reports came out that Christmas Eve against the Commanders is the target date for an Aaron Rodgers return. The fact that Rodgers would take a snap less than three months after an Achilles tear is a miracle, in and of itself. However, if the team can’t win two of their next three games, would the risk even be worth it? Previously, Rodgers expressed the desire to return in 2024 as well. It’s hard to visualize Rodgers risking re-injury this season if the playoffs are out of reach.
Main Photo: [Gregory Fisher] – USA Today Sports
